Tag-Archive for ◊ authors ◊

What IS Claudia Suzanne?
Monday, February 02nd, 2009 | Author:

Good question, ’cause originally, there was only a “Who” to the question of Claudia Suzanne. Since last year, though, Claudia Suzanne has also became a “What.”

Egads, I’m a “What!”

I started life as Claudia Suzanne, a professional ghostwriter, editor, and literary consultant with a personal quest to raise the literacy bar of the book industry, one author at a time. (Okay, I started life as Claudia Suzanne, infant, toddler, etc., but jump ahead and stay with me, will ya?)

Then I became Claudia Suzanne, speaker, teacher, and guest lecturer with the same quest but a broader scope: to also raise the literacy bar for college students by helping them get better grades on their papers.

Then I became “Boss Lady” (a.k.a. BL) OF Claudia Suzanne, a division of Wambtac and the manifestation of Wambtac Communications with a small staff of writers and techs along with assorted ghostwriting and editing interns.

Ergo, Claudia Suzanne is both me, a person, and her, BL of “It,” a company that bears my name.

And yet, my quest remains the same: to raise the literacy bar for writers of all ilk– student, corporate, freelance, newcomer, and everyone in-between–only now a bunch of other people are helping me toward that goal.

My/Our methodology is as simple and complex as my/our mission:

  • Teach substantive and line editing, which can make or break a paper or a manuscript
  • Ghostwrite well-crafted manuscripts for non-writing authors in their voice
  • Train experienced writers in the specific skills, theory, and politics of ghostwriting

That’s what Claudia Suzanne the person does, and that’s what Claudia Suzanne, the Communications division of Wambtac does, too. I/We also:

  • Write and edit web content
  • Write and edit white papers, business documents, complaint letters, promotional materials, submission materials and all other written communications
  • Mentor new writers
  • Consult for transitioning professionals and new authors
  • Give presentations and talks on writing, editing, “expert” books, and the 21st Century book industry

So the next time someone asks “What on earth is a Claudia Suzanne” — a question that probably comes up in conversation too often to be ignored — you can say:

“Ghostwriter. Read a whole long thing that rambled on forever but all I remember is the word “ghostwriter.”

And if that’s all you remember, then my fingers have not typed in vain.

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Secrets of Making $$ as a Writer
Monday, November 24th, 2008 | Author:

I just finished the second-to-last session of Ghostwriter Training for this semester and was surprised at what my students came up with to rename the class:


Secrets of Making Money as a Writer


I didn’t realize the class covers as much as it does! Here’s just a sampling of what you’ll learn:

  • How to do an A&R
  • How to find the “gold” in any manuscript
  • How to determine BISAC selection
  • How to advise the three types of authors on publishing options
  • The scope of responsibility for the various ESPs
  • The variances between the author’s writing process and the ghostwriting process
  • How to chart nonfiction
  • How to apply a content template (not MS Word formatting)
  • How to maintain the author’s voice
  • How to do multiple “spins” (while maintaining the author’s voice)
  • The variances between passive, static, and active voice; when and how to convert; and when to not
  • The variances between and basic principles of line and copy editing
  • How to build a nonfiction proposal and query letter and research a submission list
  • The variances between plot and character driven novels
  • PMA+A
  • The elements of fiction writing
  • The parameters of fiction A&Rs
  • How to map a plot w/characters
  • Meet-in-the-Middle
  • How to ghostwrite supplemental scenes while maintaining the author’s voice
  • How to ghostwrite full novels while maintaining the author’s story, characters, vision, premise, theme, intent and “tells”
  • The variances between “show” and “tell”; when and how to convert; and when to not
  • How to create a compelling submission synopsis and query letter and research a submission list
  • How to create a personal resume and credit list while maintaining client confidentiality
  • How to set reasonable fees, bid projects, and write equitable contracts
  • How to assess clients and control the initial contact to land the gig
  • How to establish and maintain authority and avoid or handle problems as they arise

This is just a bare-bones list, of course. There’s a lot more beneath every one of those points. And there’s only one way to acquire all of the above in one place: in the Ghostwriter Training, or Secrets of Making $$ as a Writer, or whatever-I-finally-end-up-calling-it class.

It’s a single semester, it’s a lot of intense work, it’s extremely hands-on, and it’s serious fun. What you’ll learn will affect the way you write, the way you read, and the way to view your family, your friends, and the people you meet on the street. Classes are very, very small, so Register Now for the Winter/Spring semester as 2009 Classes

Warning! This class could change your life!

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